— The average out of pocket expenses for each full scholarship athlete (there are partial scholarships awarded in many NCAA sports) was approximately $3,222 per year during the 2010-11 school year.

— The fair market value of the average Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I) football or basketball player was $121,048 and $265,027 respectively.

There are more than a few issues with the findings of the NCPA, an advocacy group launched by former UCLA football players that claims to have more than 17,000 members from more than 150 Division I campuses nationwide. It begins with the “poverty” argument.

Colleges are landing billion dollar television and multimedia contracts, and little has been earmarked for student-athletes.

However, a majority of students in college—those who play sports and those who don’t—fall well below the federal poverty line. Moreover, many current student athletes wouldn’t qualify academically under current freshman guidelines.

The NCAA sees this as a tradeoff: Athletes receive a free education, are trained by coaches and athletic trainers at the top of their profession, and receive free academic tutoring (among other things) to play and make millions for their schools. Athletes—and the NCPA—of course see it differently, and have a solid argument.

Still, by adding the “poverty” argument, the NCPA—a group that has been a strong advocate for student athletes—is confusing the narrative and looks desperate. Instead of talking poverty, the NCPA should continue to drive home these numbers: